Ghana’s new Gh-Dual Card will Deepen Financial Inclusion & Encourage Transparency

Ghana has launched ‘Gh-Dual’, its first double purpose EMV and financial inclusion payment card. The card will be issued by the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited (GhIPSS). The card will function as either e-zwitch or gh-link, or even as both depending on the platform and the user.

Whilst e-zwitch card permits users to perform transactions without going to a specific bank, the Gh-link card offers interbank switching and processing system, which interconnects financial institutions and third-party systems of payment service providers.

E-zwitch grants its users nationwide access and total of their transactions. The smart card is embedded with great security, interoperability and transaction features which offers a better experience.

Gh-link card is an ATM card issued by traditional banks in Ghana and the card bears the Gh-link logo. It offers cheaper transaction charges. The Gh-link card is owned by GhIPSS.

The Ghanaian government intends to leverage the Gh-dual card to cut-off ghost workers on its payroll and to encourage accountability and transparency in their public sector. The biometric features of the card will see to this policy.

From the response on Twitter, some Ghanaians are unpleased with the development, whilst some find it interesting.

What at all is wrong with this government? What have they taken Ghanaians for? Were we not told #GhanaCard is all-in-one card? Where from this GH-Dual Card too. Has the Veep finished… https://t.co/rI3PkYaLsT

— GhanaVi (@kingsenyo) August 8, 2019

And you certainly don't get my argument. I haven't said the card isn't for banking system. I'm saying we don't need that new card to tackle ghost names..#simple..the #ghanacard should have enough data to help controller general tackle it… This will be both effective n efficient

— Mr. Robert Amoah | Full-stack DevOps (@Mr_robertamoah) August 8, 2019

Plus, #GhanaCard links with all other national ID systems, which are now going to be linked to their financial transactions. This certainly has potential to generate numerous benefits if only our political leaders would be willing to allow the system to work.

— Kirchuffs Atengble (@K_Atengble) August 9, 2019

Ghana’s Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia said, “this dual card is part of the payment system architecture that we are putting in place. What we are launching today, which is the dual e-zwich card and gh-link card, is a world first; it’s not happened anywhere in the world. It is the first time that any country in the world is issuing this combined EMV card and a financial inclusion card. It is remarkable, and will further promote financial inclusion in Ghana.”

The gh-dual card will deepen financial inclusion, allow its users to move funds seamlessly across various payment platforms like; mobile wallets, e-zwich wallets, and bank accounts. It will also ensure the inclusion of the underserved and financially excluded Ghanaians to basic financial services.